Skip Links

Breadcrumbs

Campfire ban

Effective at noon on Thursday, Aug. 1, all campfires will be
prohibited across the Kamloops Fire Centre. A map of the
area covered by the campfire ban, which includes Penticton, is available online.

This step was initiated by the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires
and protect public safety. The fire
danger rating is currently “high” throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, with
scattered pockets of “extreme." With the
current trend of warm and dry weather, wildfires in the region have displayed
very aggressive behaviour and required additional fire suppression resources.

The City of Penticton is acting In accordance with the regional campfire ban, and will close fire pits at Okanagan and Skaha lakes effective noon on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Human-caused
wildfires can divert critical resources and crews from responding to naturally
occurring wildfires. Open burning is prohibited throughout the
Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fires
with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches,
sky lanterns and burning barrels.

The prohibition does not apply to cooking
stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus
with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long
as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres. The open
burning prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not
apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention
bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with local
governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire
ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes
a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million,
spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated
firefighting costs. This
prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning
restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to the provincial website. You can also follow the latest wildfire news on Twitter and Facebook.